What a great day in the mountains. Once Jim was able to wash what was left of some poor fowl on the side of his car, (apparently he had drifted into a bird) the day was full of great weather and roads. BTW Howard is one great road side mechanic . A lesser man would have called AAA and called it a weekend. Nick, There is a driver of a White Land Rover waiting for you in the parking lot of the Lodge. Why??

 

Man....you all have a drink for me....sounds like a good time down there... Chilly up here again... Cars are still tucked away in the garage, awaiting a "Rudy" day out....lol. I have been working on everything but the cars lately....but, we will be down there in the fall for sure...that I won't miss... Everyone be safe....bring'em home alive John Book....

 

It sounds, like usual, that all are having a great, safe, time up there.

Miss you guys. Hope to make it this fall.

 

Probably the first to make it back home, HAD A GREAT TIME !!
To all that are interested, had no problem getting home, the squeal followed my all the way but no issues at all.
Taking it apart now, probably do water pump, idler bearing and new tension pulley just to cover all the bases ......

Wish I had a Greek restaurant close by like the one in Dillsboro ....

 

Oh....do tell !!!!!

 

Susan i made it home was nice seeing everybody , Kim thanks for keeping the spring run going had great time , look forward to the fall Dragon , everybody have a great summer Ray

 

Got home safely @ 12:15. Made the 508 mile trip in 7 hours 25 min. Top speed was 106 according to the GPS......not bad for an old Toyo Corolla!!!!

Great time!!!

Thanks to all.

 

you must be saving that Durango for your Alaska trip

 

Well the new guys from ny made it back safely 14 hours and 45 minutes,and now I have new respect for the srt. that car is awesome, never , skipped a beat 80 to 90 mph all the way and loving every minute of it
Thank kimpossable for making us feel welcome
We ran the dragon 6times. While we where and while my wife got sick and had to lye down for a bit later we did soom site seeing on our own
I also got to met a few of the drivers ,nice people
Thanks again mike and Debbie

 

I got home tonight at 9:38 - so it's just under 3 hours, with the sun setting just as I got to Blood Mountain.

What a great time this year: perfect weather, great booze (thanks Nick), great stories (thanks everyone), and the GenCoupe crowd was a blast to meet and run with! I had several "most fun" things happen - but the last minute encounter with GenCoupe's LOVECRAFT was cool - I chased him from the Bridge/River below the gap up to the gap, then down Hellbender to the lodge and mostly kept up - it was hard, missing a downshift right at first - I had to WORK IT to get a visual on him as we neared the gap. Never thought I'd see 80 on that stretch of 129!

I finally rode the DRagon with Nick - made it almost to the overlook before my stomach felt odd. Never felt that before (not due to motion, anyway). Thanks Again, Nick/13Dog/Bob !!! I still don't think I needed sucking lessons, but thanks for your help.

I counted 19 in church this morning, great turn out since we only had what - 30-some people?

 

Back home !!
Nice run to the Airport and a on time flight.
Left the lodge at 5pm(est) and arrived in my house at 9pm(cst).
650 miles in only 5 hours door to door.

Thanks Kim for putting on thiis GTG
I really enjoy being a guest at the Spring Dragon.
No car needed to have a great time.
It was fun spending time with all of you who attended.
Pics will be posted here tomorrow night.

See ya all in October
Watch for a new thread to be posted this week for the Fall Dragon - October 5,6,7

Gary

 

Saw this and sort of thought it belongs here....

Smiling Dragon Driver

 

Gary, it was good to see you again. But then, it was good to see everyone!

I'll be at Fontana this fall, coming up Thursday evening and leaving MONDAY - this went by way too fast and I am way too tired to go to work tomorrow. After our run then chasing LOVECRAFT down Hellbender - I wanted to go to the lodge and get my bed back!

 

It was a joy finally meeting you !!!
Before, I just thought you were crazy and full of crap, now I know it for a fact

JUST KIDDING !!! Look forward to seeing you in the fall ......

BTW, was talking to the young guy that had the white S2000 at the lodge, and meant to tell you to have a look how he mounted his GoPro, but didn't see you again.
He had it mounted on the driver door just below the mirror with a safety line around the mirror in case it came loose. Seems a great location for videos .....

 

Sign me up, I've already got room 207 reserved at the Lodge for Fri.-Sat. with an option on 220 if it opens up! God willing, the Murf and I will be back for another season with a new route for the "Tourist Class" runners! What a fantastic weekend we had!!

 

Got it ALaxfire.. I'll send you a PM.

Pacemaker, you sir are a class act and the best choice I can think of to lead the tourist class.

Does anyone know the identity or name or phone number of the new guy in the Special Edition Roadster? I wanted to keep in touch with him. (The SE is the pretty Red Roadster with SRT looking rims, he ran with us once in the moderate bunch to Franklin on Saturday and was a bit in over his head. But nice guy!)

His remarks about that trip reminded me of, well, me on my first (and I think second) Dragon.

 

What a great weekend had buy all let if can get some pic posted

 

Well, I got to Columbus alright. I met a nice Blount County Sheriff on my way out of the Dragon. He was cool and only gave me a warning. I was only going 42mph in a 30mph zone. It was on one of those longer straights near the northern end. I was expecting him, but figured he'd be down in the lot at the end. Anyway... I was just glad NOT to have to pay a fine AND not to have to explain to the poor sheriff what the actual speed limit is on that stretch of road. :P

And... on my way out... I found THIS: (Just for Jon and Molly)




Yes, it was STILL there this morning. The Lodge maintenance guy must not have looked too hard for it.

 

We seem to have some unfinished stories here.

 

Franc was bitchin about losing his walker all day.